The Fascinating Art of Server Migration

Once in a while, a server must play its part in the ultimate task - moving all of its data to another server. This includes moving all of the files and applications on one server to another unit in a process called server migration.

Why Server Migration? Why do Birds Migrate?
You might be thinking that this is a complicated procedure and asking yourself, "why would I ever want to do that?" The answer is pretty simple and self-explanatory. Birds fly south for the winter to avoid harsh, cold weather conditions. The same can be said for migrating servers - to provide new conditions that are optimal for survival. Hardware doesn't last forever, contrary to popular belief, and server units are prone to breaking down. Even worse, you won't be able to access any data on it if this happens, which could cause a lot of downtime if unplanned. In order to prevent this, you need to have a set plan which you can put into action if you need to replace your server. This is where the migration kicks in.

When a server is being worked on, you will likely experience downtime. In order to continue operating at full capacity, the server must be operational. A major server repair can cause a massive setback for your business. Sometimes the need for another server is urgent, and the data may be migrated to a temporary server, physical or otherwise, which will act like the real deal until the maintenance is finished. The major benefit of this is that your company won't be impeded by any server maintenance, and you can move the data back to the main server after it has been fixed.

But generally, server migration occurs when the server unit itself is upgraded. This entails moving the data on the old server to a new one. Server migration can also be a helpful security measure against a breached unit. If your server is compromised, the data can be migrated to another server in order to preserve the data. This gives the technician plenty of time to address the issue on the breached server.

Data Backup and Recovery is Exceptionally Valuable for Server Migration
It just so happens that server migration is a huge part of the data recovery process. With MTG's Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) solution, the server's data is backed up and stored on a network device. This isn't quite the same as server migration, but is called server virtualization. The key difference between server migration and server virtualization is that one is physical while the other is virtual. It's still possible, however, to migrate data from one server to another, which is what happens with data recovery, regardless of whether the servers are virtual or physical. Hopefully this makes sense.

Let Technology Professionals Handle Your Server Migration
As mentioned before, server migration is not a simple process, and should only be attempted by professionals. It's more than just hooking up two server units and hoping for the best. If something goes wrong, there's a good chance your company's data could vanish into thin air, and your business along with it. Prevent this by having trained tech professionals handle your data. Properly migrating server data requires some technical knowledge about the differences between software and server units. These professionals must map out the process before any data is moved, and they must also make plans to secure the data during the transition process.

The technology professionals at MTG can provide you with all of the information you need to know about server migration. Give us a call at (215) 247-8324 if you are interested in backing up your server's data with BDR, or if you need assistance migrating to a new server.